Crack down on the abuse of deadly prescription painkillers

Wagga Wagga police say they have support from GP's in a crackdown on people doctor shopping for potentially deadly painkillers.

ABC News

There's to be a crackdown on people doctor shopping for potentially deadly drugs which are available cheaply on prescription.

Acting Inspector Darren Brand says misuse of powerful painkillers is an increasing problem across all of New South Wales and it's costing lives.

He says tablets can be bought cheaply on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme but tablets are being sold for $80 each to users seeking a high.

"The main drugs that we're coming across are oxycodone and also fentanyl," he said.

"The problem is unfortunately that people who are opiate naive, their systems and bodies are not used to taking them, these drugs can be devastating and can be fatal."

Wagga police are holding a meeting tonight with local GP's and pharmacists, seeking to reduce abuse of the powerful painkillers.

Inspector Brand says the use of opiates led to one recent death.

"It was apparent from the investigation that a large amount of prescription medication in this case fentanyl had been obtained and it was a direct cause for the overdose it appears at this stage," he said.

"There have been other instances in recent times where people have overdosed on prescription medication."

"It's a real problem out there and something that the police, ambulance are health constantly working to try and resolve together."

Police say they have support from GP's in the crackdown.

Acting Inspector Darren Brand says people buy subsidised drugs from different doctors then sell tablets on the black market.

He says the community has to join the medical profession and report suspicious activity to police.

"People are obtaining large quantities of these types of drugs by feigning symptoms or by intimidatory tactics with the medical profession and then of course they on sell," he said.

"And they are also victims as well to a large extent in the people trying to obtain these drugs."

"And that's why the police and the medical profession are starting to really work together to try and resolve this issue."